Equalizer rod



June 10, 1930. J 'j1 R 1,763,363

EQUALIZER ROD Filed F'eb. 21, 1925 INVENTOR 10:00 AL. Mfl'Y/er ATTORNEY M WM.

Patented June 10, 1930 UNITED STATES (moon A. L; momma,

or NEW YORK, 1v. Y.

EQUALIZER ROD Application filed February 21,-1925. Serial No. 10,940.

The present invention relates to paper or fabric coating machinery, and more particularly to improvements in adapted to be employed in the coating of car- 5 bon oraother transfersheets.

' which is 5 new rods.

2 uous helical ular rod is adaptable for In the ordinary carbon paper coating machinery a revolving equalizer rod or scraper is generally employed for removin the excess of pigment or coating on t e paper applied to the paper during the coating process.

Equalizer rods of the form in use at the present time are rapidly worn out and consequently have to be frequently replaced by The rods of the form generally used are made by winding a round steel wire of the proper diameter around a small steel rod or bar so that the windings thereon are in the form of a helix and provide a contingroove between the adjacent strands of the wire which is closely wound thereon. By forming the equalizer rod in this manner a'uniform depth of groove occurs on all portions of the rod, and a particand may be adjusted substantially only for one depth of coating.

One of the main difliculties which has been encountered in the use of a revolving equalizer rod of the form above described which is generally employed in coating machinery is the rapid wear of the rod because of contact, both with its supporting trough and with the paper and dope or coating material applied thereto. The wear on the rod causes more or less change in the amount of coating which will be applied to the paper sheet and finally the wire or thread onthe equalizer rod breaks,

thus necessitating replacement of the rod.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide an improved form ofequalizer rod which may bemanufactured at a moderate costand which will have a much longer life than any form heretofore devised. l

Another object of the invention is to provide an equalizer rod of such a form that as wear occurs thereon no replacement may be necessary, as iscaused for example, by the breaking of the wire on the ordinary equalizer rod. In the form of rod which I have equalizer devices sired depth devised the rod may be slightly turned in pos1t1on after a considerable wearv has occurred on one part of the rod and by this means the same depth of coating may be attained in a new or unused portion of the rod.

Another objectof the invention is to provide an improved form of equalizer rod in which the grooves vary in depth circum-v ferentially of the rod but which have the same depth along any elementof the surface of the rod, whereby the rod may be turned or adjusted in position in the coating machinery "either during operation thereof or when not in operation so as to attain any deof coating on the paperor transfer sheets.

Another object of the invention is to provide an equalizer rod of such a form that it may be readily heated or cooled during the coating process so as to attain uniform re s'ults in the coating substantially independently of the surrounding temperatures. By providing an equalizer rod which may be heated, for example, the over-heating of the dope or coating material in the dopepan may be entirel obviated.

A further 0 ject of the invention is to provide means for adjusting the equalizer rod in position in the coating machine so that it may be raised or lowered so as to 86 increase or decrease the angles at which the paper approaches or leaves the equalizer rod and wherebyany desired contact pressure between the paper and the equalizer rod may be attained, thereby regulating the depth of coating ,upon the paper or transfer sheets. With these and other objects in view the invention comprises the following features hereinafter more fully described and particularly defined in the claims.

The various features of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention and a modification thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the essential parts of a coating machine showing the relative position of the equalizer rod there- 1n;

Fig. 2 is a view of a portion of an equalizer rod embodying the preferred formof my inventlon, the size of the groovestherein-being exaggerated in order, to moreclearlyshow the construction and showing "a bearing on v 1 'ilig from-under the equalizer rod to the pan.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the paper is pref- I erably passed over the equalizer rod 26 but. if

one side*of thej'rod -i'n.section;'f 1 v,

-- F1g.: 3=isa sectional ew of the equalizer ijr'odshown in Figure 2 taken on the line'3 3;

Fig. 4 is an end view partly in sectionof the equalizer rod bearingshown in Figure 2 a the equalizer rod by which the rod @Fig. 5 is a view of the supporting means for may be ad usted 1n-pos1t1on in the coating machine 'to attain any desired set;

Fig. 7- s a view 1n elevation of a preferred 6- isadetail .viewyof a means by which gging or vlbrating motion of the equalizer rod maybe attained;

form of dial employed for resetting or attaining any desired set of the equalizer. rod; and Flg. 8 is a viewof a modified form of equalizer rod; in which a helical form ofv groove is employed, the size of the groove being exaggerated 1n proportion to the size of the rod 1n; order to clearly show-the form thereof.

. Referring more particularly tothe drawmgs, 10 indicates a supplyroll upon which a paper, which is to be coated,is mounted. The paper ,in passing through the coating machine /passes first over a suitable guide or guides 12 which may be in the form of rollers,

for example, and from thence over an edge orroller 14, then under a roller 16,then over a roller 18, preferably positioned above the roller 16, and from thence under a roller 20 into contact with a coating roller 22 or other suitable device by means of which the dope or coating material may be applied to the paper or sheet. The rollers 14, 20, may be pivoted uponafi'adjustable arm 21 mounted upon a standard 23, whereby the tension of the sheet or paper in passing through the rollers may be regulated. The roller 22 may be mounted many desired manner in the machine so as to dlp into a dope pan 24 containing the inkmg or coating material to be coated upon the paper. I As the paper passes over the coating roller, the transfer pigment. or inking material which is taken up from the dope pan by the roller, is gradually applied to the under surface of the paper. The coating material in the pan 24 is preferably heated so as to attain the desired consistency, by means of which the amount of dope taken up by the roller and applied to the paper is regulated to some extent. In general, a slight excess of the inking material is applied to the paper by means of the roller, which excess itis necessary to remove in order to attain a uniform.

"ing; which, in this case, the top surface of the paper sheet. From the equalizer rod 26 the paper may be passed the. paper'and serves to remove the excess-of coating material which maybe made to re-' turn-to the dope 'panby any desired means such, for example,'as an inclined-plate extendthe rod in order to remove the excessive coatwould be applied to under a sultable cooling roller 28 or a series ,of such rollers if desired, and may be bufied or polished in the usual manner, after which it is Wound upon a roller or reel 30 at the completion of-the coating process.

The preferred form of equalizer rod comprisin my invention consists of a cylindrical metal ar 32 having a series of depressions or grooves 34 therein disposed substantia-L' ly in planes at right angles to theaxis ofthe bar and preferably spaced equi-distantly alon the bar The grooves are preferably so disposedthat the. depth circumferentially of the rod, but in such-a manner that the groove depth along any element of the rod (parallel to the axis thereof) is the same. In other words, the depth of the rooves along any element of the rod is um- -form so that whatever portion of the equalizer rod is employed in the coating process the depth of the coating produced by the rod on the paper will be unlform. I preferably form the grooves in the rod by employing a series of perforated discs or washers .36, 38, which are preferably mounted upon a hollow rod 40 and secured thereto by any suitable means such as a key 42. The washers may be securely fastened longitudinally of the rod by means of lock nuts 44 attached at the ends of the rod. and thus serving to hold the washers tightly together. I preferably employ two sizes of washers, the washers being so mounted that the alternate washers are of the same size; and arranged concentrically. The larger Washers are preferably mounted so' as to be concentric with the axis of the equalizer rod or in other words, in such a manner that the axis of the equalizer rod passes through the centers of the washers 36. The smaller washers 38 are preferably mounted so as to be eccentric with respect to the larger washers and the axis of the rod but concentric with respect to each other, as above stated. I In the preferred form of my equalizer rod, I provide means for heating or cooling the rod so as to attain any desired temperature of the rod during the coating process.

In order to accomplish this result I preferthrough the pipe or hollow rod 40. Any suitable medium, such as steam or water, may

thereof varies i III 'ably pass the heating or cooling medium I be passed through the chamber or hollow controlling medium to and exhaust it vfrom the chamber. The connections between the pipes conducting the tempera- .ture controlling, medium and the equalizer rod are preferably flexible in order to permit adjustment of the equalizer rod. Rubber-hose connections may be employed, for example, of sufiicient length to permit the desired movement of the rod. In place form of chamber,

of the form of heating chamber shown in Figure 2, I might use hollow washers or washers having a part of the central portion removed so as to form a heating or cooling chamber in the Washers-when assembled in the manner indicated more particularly in Figure 5. I may obviously, employ any either of the form having a continuous wall through the washers or one in which a larger chamber is employed in the larger washers so as to attain substantially the same degree of heating and heat conductivity through both the larger and the smaller washers. In place of passing a heating medium through the chamber or chambers, as above set forth, I might employ an electrically operated heating unit as will be apparent'to those skilled in the art.

The means which I preferably employ for supporting the equalizer rod in position in the coating machine comprises two supports 1 46, 48, which may be integral with the frame of the'machine or adapted to be moved in any desired position by means of any suitable clamping or securing means 50, 52, as inopenings therein so as to dicated in Figure 5. The supports are preferably made hollow, having cylindrical be adapted to hold rods 54,56, therein, suitable means being provided to hold the rodsin any desired position. Any suitable means may be employed for adjustably holding the rods in the supports 46, 48, but I preferably employ racks 58, 60, and pinions 62, 64 for this purpose, the racks being formed along the length of the rods, as shown in Figure 5. The pinions 62, 64,. may be either mounted on the. same shaft 1 or independently mounted, although I preferably mount them independently.

The positions of the pinions maybe'adjustedby means of hand wheels 66, 68 connected to the pinions, the positions of the pinions and consequently the set of the equalizer rods being indicated by suitable means such as dial mechanisms 70, 72, the preferred'form of dial being shown in detail in Figure 7. The pinions 62, 64 are mounted so as to pass through openings 74, 76 in the standards 46, 48,-thereby contacting with the racks 58, 60 onthe rods 54, '56- respectively. By means of the dials the equalizer rod may be adjusted in any desired position without preliminarytrial sets. It is to be understood,-however, that in place of the dials I might employ marks on the movable bearing rods 54, 56 in order to indicate the set of the equalizerrod and to attain the desired adjustment thereof.

The equalizer rod is preferably flexibly held in position so as to allow a certain amount of play'or to compensate for irregularities in the paper passing over the equalizer rod which otherwise would vary the tension in the paper. The equalizer rod may be held in position by means of two suitable cylindrical supporting members 7 8, 80, which may be attached to the rods 54, 56 respectively, so as to permit relative movement of the cylindrical supporting members and the rods. The casings of the cylindrical members 78, 80 are preferably so mounted as to enclose the upper portions of the rods 54, 56, thereby permitting relative movement of the rods and the cylindrical members. Within the casings 78,

80, I preferably provide a series of springs 82 which are suitably attachedto inner and.

outer bearing members 84, 86, such as by means of lugs 88, 90, for example. The

,meansof set screws 94 passing through the outer wall of the casing and serving to hold the equalizer rod in any desired position. After the equalizer rod has become Worn in any particular position or along any element of the rod, the set screws 94 may be loosened and the equalizer rod turned to an unused position of the rod, giving any desired depth of-coating, after which the set screws are again turned down, fastening and holding the equalizer rod in its new position.

It is to be understood that any suitable size of equalizer rod may be employed having any desired size of grooves therein and hearing members for holding the rod in position, and the exact proportions of the various parts have notbeen shown in the drawings, but the size and proportionc of the various parts to be employed in any particular machine will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

It may be desirable, particularly with the smaller sizes of rods, to employ a supporting brace to keep the rod straight or the rod may be fitted with adjusting screws supported by means of a plate or brace so as to act against the paper. It is also desirable to employ means for indicating the angular position'of the rod such as theindicator shown in the drawings (Fig. 5), whereby the rod may be set in any desired angular position.

1 In order to attain uniformity in the coating '25 cam 96 w ber 100 indicated in Figure 5. T0 the cam 96 is connected a lever 102 which is preferably pivoted or fulcrurned at a point 104 "upon a suitable bracket 106, whichfmay be connected to-the casing 78 so as to be movable therewith when the equalizer rod is adjusted in position.

' An arm 108 of the lever 102. preferably extends -upwardly so as to contact with or fit into a groove 110 formed on the projecting portion or-bearing portion of the equalizer rod. The other arm 112 of the lever 102 is preferably forked so as to pass outside ofthe ich as it revolves, reciprocates the.

arm 112 of the lever 102 around the fulcrum 104 as a pivot and thereby causes reciprocation of the 'arm 1080f the lever and a corresponding backward and forward movement of the'equalizer rod.

During the operatlon of the coating machine the, equalizer .rod may be reciprocated or notLas may be found deslrable, depending upon the consistency of the coating material or dope and the character of the paper to which it is applied, as will be evident to those skilled in the art.

In place of the equalizer rod formed in the manner as above described, I may em- 40 ploy a modified construction in which the grooves on the surface of the rod are formed in a helix, the axis of which is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rod, whereby the grooved depth along any element of the rod is the same but varies circumferentiall of the rod as is attained in the preferred orm ofthe invention as above described. The depressions or grooves in the preferred form of my device may be of any shape, either rectangular, parabolic, or may be in the form .of an arc, or may be V-shaped in section, if desired; I prefer, however, the rectangular form of cross section? which may be easily attained .in either the preferred or modified form of the device;

fInFigure 8"of the drawings, it will be i understood that the depth and size of groove has been greatly exaggeratedin order to It is also to be understood that I may emclearly 'show'. the form thereofa I desire to the spirit or scope thereof. Thecorners or edges of the grooves may be rounded or beveled so as toeliminate edges onthe rod which would tend to produce markings on the paper.

ployjany material suitable for the purpose in making the equalizer rod, although I prefer to use a tough grade of steel, such as Swedish Bessemer steel, for example,'which is preferably ,suitably tempered. Further- ;more, the various rollers which revolve in the coating machine illustrated may be driven in any desired manner, either by means of a friction drive or by meansof gears or in anyother suitable manner. I pre erably also providemeans by which the speed of\the va rious rollers may be varied and for this purpose I may independently run any or all of the rollers, The rollers 14 and 16 shown in the drawings are preferably. maintained sta tionary in order to provide the desired ten- 1 sion in the paper at these points. By shifting the relative position of the rollers 14' and 16, asv by changing the position of the roller 14, the tension inthe paper at this point may be regulated. The tension in the aper may further be regulated by provid -1nga suitable brake on the axle of the supply roller 10, or by providing means equiva-' lent thereto. The apparatus 'may be employed for single or full carbons as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various changes may be made-in the invention, as is obvious, without departing from the scopev thereof as defined in the claims.

What I claim 'as new is-'- 1 I 1. In a coating machine an equalizer rod which comprises a rod having a series of depressions in the outer surface thereof, saiddepressions having a uniform depth in any given position along the length ofsaid rod and a varying depth circumferentially of said rod, and means .for mounting the said rod in a coating machine comprising flexible bearings whereby the operation of said rod will remain substantially uniform .irrespective of inequalities in the paper orthe dope applied thereto.

2. In a coating machine an equalizer rod which comprises a rod having a series of depressions-in the outer surface thereof, said depressions having a uniform depth in any given position along the. length of said rod' and a varying depth circumferentially of said rod, means. for mounting'the said rod in a coating machine comprising flexible bear 'ings whereby the operatlon of said rod will remain substantially uniform irrespective of 12s inequalities in the paper or the dope applied, thereto, and means for'maintainin a back- 1. ward and forward movement of sand rod in a direction along the axis thereof.

. 3. In a coating machine an equalizer rod adapted for the spreading of dope in the making of transfersheets which comprises a substantially cylindrical rod, a series of grooves therein having a uniform depth in a given angular position of said rod but hav ing a uniformly increasing or decreasing depth circumferentially of said rod, means for flexibly mounting said rod in a paper coating machine, and means for raising and lowering said rod to attain any desired elevation thereof'in said machine. 7

4. In a coating machine an equalizer rod adapted for the spreading of dope in the making of transfer sheets which comprises a substantially cylindrical rod, a series of grooves therein having a uniform depth in a given angular position of said rod but having a uniformly increasing or decreasing depth circumferentially of said rod, means for flexibly mounting said rod in a paper coating machine, means for raising and lowering said rpd to attain any desired elevation of said rod in said machine, means for vibrating said rod in a direction along the axisthereof, and means for indicating the angular position of said rod whereby said rod may be maintained in any desired angular position to attain the desired grooved depth in contact with the paper to be coated.

5; In a coating machine an equalizer rod adapted for the spreading of dope in the making of transfer sheets which comprises a substantially cylindrical rod, a series of grooves therein having a uniform depth in a given angular position of said rod but hav ing a. varying depth circumferentially of said rod, means for flexibly mounting said rod in a paper coating machine comprising adjustable spring mounted bearings, means for raising and lowering said rod to attain any desired elevation of said rod in said machine comprising standards adapted to be raised and lowered by means of racks and pinions connected therewith, means for indicating theelevation of said rod whereby the rod may be set in any desired position, means for indicating the angular position of said rod with respect to said paper, and means for producing a reciprocatpry movement of said rod along the axis thereof whereby the coating material or dope will be evenly distributed upon the paper to be coated.

6'. An equalizer rod comprising in combination a support extending axially of the rod, a plurality of sets of perforated discs of different diameters threaded on said support, the disks in each set being of the same thickness, the discs of different diameters being arranged in alternation on the support to form peripheral grooves in the rod,v and means or clamping said discs together on said support;

7. An equalizer rod comprising in combination a support extending axially of the rod, perforated discs of different diameters threaded in alternation on said support so as to form peripheral-grooves in the rod, the

discs of one of said sets being arranged eccena plurality of sets of perforated discs of dif ferent diametersthreaded on said pipe, the disks in each set being of the same thickness, the discs of different diameters being arranged in alternation on the pipe to form peripheral grooves in the rod, and means for securing said discs on said pipe.

9. An equalizer bar having a series of spaced projections for engaging the web of paper or fabric, each projection having a face for engaging the paper or fabric which extends substantially parallel with the same in the direction of the length of the bar.

lOpAn equalizer bar having a series of spaced projections for engaging the web of paper or fabric, each projection having a face for engaging the paper or fabric which extends substantially parallel with the same in the direction of the length of the bar, and means for vibrating the bar longitudinally.

Signed at New York, New York, this 14th day of February, 1925.

JACOB A. L. MGLLER 

